Joel Carter talks to the media outside the courtroom with his attorney, Kristin Burkett, Thursday in Fairfield County Common Pleas Court. Carter was found not guilty of felonious assault.

Written by

Francesca Sacco
The Eagle-Gazette Staff

Joel Carter beamed as well wishers shared in his joy. By mid-afternoon Thursday, a Fairfield County jury returned a not guilty verdict, allowing Carter to move on with life.

"I'm just grateful to have my life back," said Carter, 46, of Lancaster.

Carter, a former Fairfield County Municipal Court probation officer, was accused of felonious assault after he fired his service weapon during a March 11, 2011, incident. Carter testified that the car was coming toward him and that he ended up on the hood, then fell off the car, at which point the gun in his hand discharged. ...